Silatech and Microsoft Agree to Launch Employability Portal for Egypt

Doha, January 16 (QNA)- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Thursday between Microsoft Middle East & Africa Director of Citizenship and Public Affairs Mr. Jeffrey Avina, and Silatech Deputy CEO Raed Al Emadi. The MoU supports the mutual objectives of both organizations to harness technology in support of regional workforce development and youth employability. Under the agreement, Silatech and Microsoft will become co-founders of Egypt s first national employability portal - MasrWorks.com, said a press release issued by Silatech here on Monday. Set to launch in early 2012, the "Masr Works" portal will provide Egyptian youth with resources and opportunities ranging from online career guidance, employability and entrepreneurship training, to specific work experience and job opportunities. Speaking on the occasion, Silatech Deputy CEO Raed Al Emadi said, "This represents the first stage of what we hope will be a long-term collaboration between Silatech and Microsoft. Future plans include expanding the portal into other countries, as well as joining forces for other programs to promote employment, entrepreneurship and engagement in the region." For his part, Jeffery Avina said, "Masr Works is the first portal of its kind to be launched in Egypt and in the region - a region where some of the highest rates of youth unemployment exist. The portal brings the power of technology solutions to tackle this key challenge in Egypt and elsewhere across the Arab world. We are excited to be partnering with Silatech on this initiative in Egypt and look forward to continued collaboration in the rest of the region on employment and entrepreneurship." Jo Aggarwal, Silatech s Director of Employment Programs, said about the project: "One of the core features of "Masr Works" will be the integration of Silatech s Tamheed program for career guidance with Microsoft s e-learning resources. However, this is a platform through which young people can also access resources, training, and work opportunities from a range of regional and local partners working to promote youth employment, including the Education for Employment Foundation and the Egyptian NGO Yalla Work. Available in both Arabic and English, "Masr Works" is co-owned by Microsoft and Silatech, and is the first such portal to be launched in Egypt. Building on the expertise of Microsoft and Silatech, the portal represents a comprehensive offering for young Egyptians aiming to make a successful transition into the world of work.(QNA)